Sunday, March 30, 2014

Central Market is an institution here in Austin. One of my absolute favorite discoveries from their vast array of in-house-baked goodies is hands down their Chewy Chocolate Crispy Cookies. Apparently the recipe is a well guarded secret! Luckily I was able to come upon this copycat recipe via Candace Creations. This is a chewy, soft, chocolaty cookie, with a crunch of chopped pecans. Pure Texas, and purely delish!

Friday, September 20, 2013

Monday, September 02, 2013

As an newbie gardener, I'm not insanely well versed in knowing when the right time is for plantings. I have a feeling that Sept. may not be the most ideal time to begin a new crop of plants, but I'm hedging my bets. Here in Texas, it's still 100 degrees on most days, and it will be for awhile. My limited botanical knowledge tells me as long as I keep the plants away from frost, they should be just fine. Sitting in today's sun, I can say that frost is a long way off...

These roma tomato seedlings are all of 1 week old. I saved the seeds as I cut into some juicy romas. The seeds were then rinsed and dispersed onto a damp paper towel I placed in a plastic bag. After about 5 days I had sprouting little seedlings.

The tiny seedling roots became slightly embedded in the paper towel, thus a ready made planting strip. I cut the towel to size and transferred to a planter.

After only 1 day the romas grew nearly half and inch and seem ripe for some hearty future growth....even in Sept!

Saturday, May 04, 2013

In Texas, summer is here - bring on the frozen treats! I utilized some 3 oz. plastic cups, assorted flavors of yogurt, and some bamboo appetizer sticks. (The bamboo sticks are the perfect size for the 3 oz. cups!) Everything I needed was readily accessible at the grocerey store.

For some I used one flavor of yogurt per cup; for others the flavors were layered. Load up your cups, insert a bamboo stick in the middle, pop these in the freezer for a few hours and viola....sweet, frozen, healthy-ish summer treats! The flavors pictured: key lime pie, a layered peach & vanilla, and a layered banana cream pie & vanilla.

Friday, November 04, 2011

I took an amazing Italian Cooking class a few years back and this dessert has definitely emerged as a favorite. I had misplaced the recipe and the gal who taught the class was kind enough to share it with me again. Be sure to check out her site, Anne's Italy, and book a class with her on the wonders of Umbrian Cooking if she's in your area!TIRAMISU (“pick me up”)..............................(makes enough for 20 people)..............................20 oz. Ricotta1 lb. Marscapone1/3 c. of sugar or to tasteYolks from 10 eggsOne large chocolate bar, chopped into some fine & some chunky piecesGrated coconutBrewed espresso coffeelarge box of Original Grahams (or similar vanilla cookie) – preferred cookie……. OR3 boxes of lady fingersDIRECTIONS: Mix first 3 ingredients together. Blend egg yolks and add to cream mixture. Combine chocolate and coconut reserving some chocolate for the top layer. Dip cookies into coffee mixture until soft, but before they fall apart. (You may also use coffee with some milk, if preferred.) Cover bottom of a pan thoroughly with soaked cookies. Add a layer of the cream mixture and some of the chocolate/coconut mixture. Repeat layering until all cookies are used. Top with chocolate as the final layer. Chill in refrigerator for 3 hours or in freezer for 20 minutes.